What Will You Study?

Education in Animal Production, Care, and Use

Students enrolled in animal sciences curricula receive a firm background in the biological and natural sciences. This foundation is essential for understanding the principles of animal breeding, reproductive physiology, nutrition, meats and muscle biology, growth and mammary physiology, genetic engineering, molecular biology, and management of livestock and companion animals. Students can also gain expertise in the processing, quality control, product development, and marketing of meat, dairy, and poultry products.

So that animal sciences students can understand and fully appreciate the entire scope of agriculture, most programs of study offer a flexible choice of support courses in food science, forage and crop production, agricultural engineering, and agricultural economics. A well-rounded program of study also will permit students to focus on such related disciplines as computer science, economics, business, and communications. Programs of study are designed to give students a broad knowledge of animal and poultry production as well as the application of modern technology within agriculture systems.

Programs may emphasize:

sustainable production systems and management
animal behavior and welfare
physiology
biotechnology (e.g. growth, meat quality, immune system modulation)
genetics, molecular genetics
computer modelling
nutrition (biochemistry, feeds and feeding evaluation)
pasture management and forage production